A BIRSTALL businesswoman has donated £500 to help a youth work charity continue its work.

Jess Brooke, owner of Vibrance hair and beauty salon, has sponsored a fundraising pack to encourage more local firms to hold sponsored events to raise money for the Youth Association (TYA).

The Yorkshire-wide charity creates youth work opportunities for thousands of disadvantaged youths across the county, and has trained and supported 24 young entrepreneurs in the last 12 months.

The association, based in Wakefield, also uses a fleet of mobile units to provide advice to young people in hard-to reach communities on issues including careers, sexual health, nutrition and lifestyle choices and drug and alcohol training.

Government spending cuts mean the charity relies on fundraising to keep its work going.

Jess already employs two young people, Chloe Smith and Guy Mitchell, at her salon at Carr Mill Business Centre in Bradford Road, Birstall.

But the young entrepreneur wanted to do more to help young people follow in her footsteps and start their own businesses.

She said: “I’ve had lots of support from family and friends to help me set up my own business and I wanted to give something back to help other young people to achieve their goals, which is why I wanted to support the Youth Association.

“My donation will help TYA with their fundraising so they can support other young people in the local area and I would encourage other businesses to offer the same support.”